LANSING, Mich. — One frustrated client hurled a piece of concrete through the window of a welfare agency. Another threw her car keys at a welfare worker before being escorted away. At one point, a woman on public assistance even took a swing at a worker.

As Michigan struggles with the highest-in-the-nation jobless rate, state workers who deal with unemployment, welfare and other aid programs say they have never been so overwhelmed — or so worried about their safety. Some clients have begun taking their anger out on the very people who are offering help. And caseworkers are seeking extra protection.

You know, I never would've guessed that raising an entire generation of Americans to believe that the Government provides for their every need would lead to a situation wherein said Americans threaten the Government for not providing for them well enough.

Except for the fact that this is the exact same pattern of behavior we've seen every single time this has been tried, that is. As that lovely old saying goes: Doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results is the definition of "insanity."

Which reminds me--I've got a terrific new motto for the Michigan Tourist Board to try out.